28 April 2025: slashed car tyres, tourism trends
Media: Rotorua Daily Post
Topic: Car tyres slashed in CBD
Enquiry
I have counted there are at least 10 cars that have had all their tyres slashed in the CBD this morning. They are on Pukuatua St, outside House of Elliot hairdressing (many of the cars belong to people who live in the new apartments in the area) and also on Tutanekai St down by the Lakefront near the Novotel Hotel.
Can I please get some comment from the council/ipark about whether you're having to do anything extra this morning (City Safe guardian patrols, ipark not issuing tickets to those cars with slashed tyres and checking council CCTV footage).
Response
From Group Manager – Destination Development Jean-Paul Gaston:
Our CCTV footage captured two individuals damaging the tyres. If you believe your vehicle was affected, we encourage you to report it to the police. Police will be able to request access to the CCTV footage under privacy legislation. Parking wardens have been informed and will not issue parking fines to those affected by this incident.
We feel for those who were targeted and appreciate the community’s assistance as we work alongside the police to ensure those responsible are held accountable.
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Media: Bay of Plenty Business News
Topic: Off-season tourism market
Enquiry
I'm a writer for the Bay of Plenty Business News and am just completing a wrap-up cover story on efforts by regional tourist authorities to expand the off-season market in inbound tourism.
I would appreciate it if we could get a brief quote by mid-afternoon from Mayoress Tania Tapsell, addressing the importance of what seems to be a growing trend towards varying the region's tourist mix (eg the take a robe campaign). Or any other salient comments she wishes to make regarding the importance of the inbound tourism industry to Rotorua and the region and any changes she has seen or would like to see.
Response
From Mayor Tapsell:
“Most people in New Zealand have fond memories visiting Rotorua for action packed family vacations or a weekend away relaxing in our lakes or hot pools.
“It’s pretty incredible that as a district of almost 80,000 people, we manage to host around 3 million domestic and international visitors a year. Because of this tourism and hospitality industries provide the most jobs for locals. The past few years were certainly a challenge, but we went hard on supporting the visitor economy and being smart about investment to get our city pumping again.
“We know we’re not the only destination in New Zealand trying to attract back visitors, so we came up with creative advertising like the Robe Trip campaign which encourages people to get in the car and come to Rotorua for a Robe Trip. It played on the fact that many people are feeling stressed at the moment, so we encouraged them to come and enjoy a weekend of rest and relaxation wrapped in a lush bath robe and enjoyed our world-class spa’s.
The campaign has been a massive success with record-breaking engagement statistics and online traffic, plus influencers showcasing some of our best robe-worthy hot spots, like the Wai Ariki Hot Springs & Spa on our lakefront.
“Rotorua is always a favourite place during school holidays, and it’s been great seeing so many people enjoying our beautiful new Lakefront boardwalk and playground. We’ve also seen new businesses open recently, such as the 3mirage which is Rotorua’s first multi-sensory experience where the latest technology is used to create interactive rooms to explore.
“Internationally, our visitors from Asia are some of the few markets yet to return to pre-covid numbers. So, we’ve been strategic with our investment, and I recently led a North Island Road Show to China with 20 businesses from Rotorua and Auckland, which included Auckland Airport, Wētā Workshop, and accommodation and activity providers from Rotorua. Fortunately, we’re already seeing the benefits of this investment, but it’s been deeply concerning that in a time of need other Councils are not strategically supporting what is a key industry for all of New Zealand.
“Councils are very reliant on rates as our main income so in Rotorua we’ve created ways to reduce this burden on ratepayers and have introduced new ways to generate revenue through a new rating policy for short-term rental accommodation such as Air BnB’s. We then reinvest this straight back into marketing Rotorua.
“To ensure we have a steady flow of visitors all year, we’ve also restructured council operations to ensure excellent and efficient services are provided to those hosting events in Rotorua and using our venues. We have a great team at RotoruaNZ who help to attract conferences and also events, which are a real boost to us over the quieter winter months.
“This May we’re excited to be hosting TRENZ, New Zealand’s largest international tourism business event, and later this year we also look forward to making our mark as the top destination to celebrate Matariki. We’re hoping to see another spectacular Matariki drone show at our lakefront so keep an eye out for details to be confirmed soon.”
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Media: Stuff/3News
Topic: Tourism bounce-back from Covid
Enquiry
I was hoping to be put in contact with Mayor Tania Tapsell for an interview. I am working on a story relating to Rotorua's tourism.
Was wanting to know if the Mayor believes Rotorua has fully bounced back from Covid-19 and the drop off of tourism during that time.
Following that, are there any new developments being planned for the city?
I would also like to know how much money has been put into the upkeep or development of the city since COVID times? If not a figure, examples of this development would be great.
Do you feel as though the city has lost or is losing its 'spark'?
Are there plans to increase tourism and what would that look like? When would we see that as well?
I may also have a few questions as the conversation flows, but I'm looking to focus on Rotorua's tourism in comparison to other 'hotspots' like Queenstown etc as obviously Rotorua has many special elements that draw in tourism, so will want to discuss that as well!
Response
Mayor Tapsell was interviewed by Stuff/3News today.
Her responses touched on the same topics she covered in her response to the BoP Business News enquiry re tourism (see above).
Mayor Tapsell also provided some commentary comparing Queenstown and Rotorua and how we should have had more investment here from Government and hope that we can have this in future.
